The BRICS TimesLast week, US President Donald Trump confirmed secondary sanctions on India for Russian oil imports, noting India remains the largest buyer outside China, while indicating that phase two or three measures have not yet been enforced.
The United States President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that he is prepared to impose the second round of sanctions on Russia. When asked outside the White House whether he is ready to introduce additional restrictions, Trump responded clearly, “Yes, I am ready.”
His statement came soon after US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant remarked that if the US and the European Union intensify sanctions on nations purchasing Russian crude, Moscow’s economy could collapse.
Besant revealed in an interview that President Trump and Vice President JD Vance held a very meaningful conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. On Friday, Trump and Vance engaged with the Commission President to discuss what more the US and EU can do collectively to increase pressure on Russia.
The Trump administration has already imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil, on top of the previously announced 25 percent retaliatory duty. With effect from August 27, the total tariff levied on India reached 50 percent.
Last week, Trump asserted that secondary sanctions had been placed on India for continuing to import Russian oil, describing India as the largest buyer outside China. He also indicated that phase two and phase three sanctions have not yet been applied. According to Besant, along with trade advisor Peter Navarro and several administration officials, India’s ongoing purchase of Russian oil is helping fund Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.
India, however, has consistently rejected Washington’s stance, labeling the tariffs as unfair. Defending its purchases of Russian crude, India has maintained that its energy imports are driven by national interest and global market dynamics, not political considerations.
